|
Indian
States
Arunachal
Pradesh
|
Festivals
Festivals
form an essential aspect of the socio-cultural life of the people
of the state. As a matter of fact, festivals are the mirror of the
people's culture. Since agriculture is the mainstay of the population
, naturally, the festivals celebrated by the people are closely
connected with their occupation. Such festivals are celebrated at
a larger sale for thanking the Gods for their providence and for
saying a prayer a prayer for a bumper crop. Throughout the year
festivals are celebrated by some tribe or the other. Some of the
important festivals are Solung, Mopin, Losar, Boori Boot, Dree,
Nechi Dau, Khan, Kshyat-Sowai, Loku, Longte Yullo, Mol, Nyokum,
Ojiale, Reh, Sanken, Si-Donyi and Tamladu.
Animal
sacrifices are a common ritual in most of the festivals, particularly
in the non-Bodic tribes. The festivals have been firmly blended
with the lifestyle of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. For some
communities like the Mijis these are occasions to bring all people
together who might otherwise be scattered in far flung villages.
This serves as a reminder of the richness of their cultural heritage.
The
spring time festivals are celebrated during the period from January
to April by the different groups. In the celebration of these festivals,
the religious rites and the sacrifices are generally performed by
their priests assisted by some select male members.
The
Losar festival of the Monpas, which is their new year, is celebrated
for five days. On the eve of the festival people clean out their
homes to usher in the new year and to discard the old. The dirt
and the grit of the old year is considered to symbolise ill health.
During the five days of the festivities prayers are offered for
prosperity and good health; the festivities include the hoisting
of religious flags atop their homes; visits to he homes of friends
and relatives; oly uddhist sriptures are read in ervery home and
butter lamps are lit in houses and the campuses.
Appeasement of the dieties who conrol the peace and prosperity of
the people is the thought behind the six day celebrations of the
Reh festival, essentially associated with the Idu Mishmis. The festival
comes to an end with great fanfare and the priest dance performed
during the six days is its speial attraction.
The
Wanhos celebrate their most popular estival, Ojiyale during March-April,
for a period of six to twelve days interspersed with prayer, song
and dance. Villagers exchange bamboo tubes of rice beeras a mark
of greeting and good will. Pig's skin is offered to the village
chief as a mark of respect.
Another important festival is Tamladu, essentially celebrated by
the Digaru Mishmis tribe. During the festival, prayers are offered
to the God of Earth and the God of Water for protection against
natural calamities. The supreme- Lord Jebmalu, is worshipped and
welfare of human beings, the standing crops and domestic animals.
Another
is the Khan festival, an occasion for the reunion of the people.
Besides the usual festivities, the significance of the festival
lies in the ceremony whereby the priest ties a piece of wool around
everybody's neck. The belief is that the enchanted thread will bring
good luck to each of them.
Sangken festival, is an occasion to bathe the images of Lord Buddha
ceremoniously. Thsi also heralds the new year and people sprinkle
water on each other as a sign of merriment. One of the groups celebrate
Mopin for wealth, prosperity, good health and universal happiness.
Smearing of rice powder on each others' faces marks the beginning
of the festival which is celebrated for five days. The Mol festival
of the Tangsas is also celebrated for three days to welcome the
new year.
|